Oswego Parents - Spring 2006

O S W E G O A Publication of the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations

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Historic Buildings Reopen after Renovations

In the newly redesigned Admissions Office in Sheldon Hall, Katie Maxwell ’97, M’02, assistant director of admissions, and Ian Farrell ’06, Student Association president and admissions tour guide, help prospective transfer student Andrew Riccadonna, from Mexico, N.Y.

refurbishing of the freshman residence in Johnson Hall and work continuing on readying Wilber Hall for the School of Education.

Poucher Hall was totally redesigned to enhance interaction between students and faculty, said Lyons. The corridor-style design from the 1960s has been replaced to create a more open area with curved walls and visual interest.

The design incorporated “large comfortable spaces,” where students could hang out between classes or collaborate with other students or faculty members, said Tedra Pratt, interiors coordinator.

Computer ports and wireless connections will make it possible for students to check their e-mail or work on projects between classes.

Walls of glass will allow students to see into classes, encouraging them to enter and join in informal discussions in progress. “Teachers will have a lot of flexibility in the classroom to change the furniture around to meet their needs on an individual basis for that particular class,” added Pratt.

The English, modern languages and philosophy departments will be housed in Poucher, along with the Office of Learning Services, which provides tutoring to students in writing and mathematics.

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Jim Russell ’83

Jim Russell ’83

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tudents returning for spring semester will have classes and visit offices in two of Oswego’s historic buildings, which have just undergone complete renovations.

For the first time in two decades, the west wing of Sheldon Hall, Oswego’s historic Old Main, has been returned to college use, housing the Admissions Office as well as the Office of University Development and the day care center.

Poucher Hall, part of the Central Campus Complex, was renovated to house the humanities cluster and the Office of Learning Services.

“With all of the renovations of the last three years, the Campus Concept Committee determined the best use of the buildings,” said Nicholas Lyons, vice president for administration and finance. The faculty, student and staff committee went to individual departments and received their input for how the space would be used.

Renovations to the two buildings cost a total of $11 million funded through the SUNY Capital Plan.

Over $5 million in renovations to Sheldon Hall, first used in 1913, included restoration of the “historic classroom,” reupholstering the original seats in the tiered auditorium and even preserving the graffiti chalked on the blackboard. The classroom, equipped with the latest in technology, will be used by the Admissions Office for presentations to groups of about 75. A smaller high-tech classroom will host presentations for groups of approximately 20 visitors.

“I’m really pleased that we’re here. I think people will be impressed,” said Dr. Joseph F. Grant Jr., vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. He noted that the east end of campus has received a facelift in the last few years, with the renovation of Rich Hall into a new home for the School of Aaron Howe and Ian Van Luven of Stevens Office Interiors install dividers in the Office of Learning Services in Poucher Hall.

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IN THIS EDITION: • Two Campus Buildings Reopen after Renovation • Give the Gift of School Spirit • New Learning Communities Piloted • Important Dates to Remember Office of Alumni and Parent Relations King Alumni Hall SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY 13126

O S W E G O Parents

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O S W E G O PA R E N T S

or Frances Lanigan ’73, an Oswego education means a “great value and an opportunity.”

As a young wife and mother, she earned her degree at Oswego because it was local and affordable, as well as offering an excellent education, she says.

“I appreciated the opportunity to get my education, which was the foundation for my life and a career I felt very fulfilled with.” She would go on to a career of three decades in human services, culminating in her current position as the first permanent woman commissioner of social services in Oswego County.

When it came time for her sons to get a college education, she urged them to consider Oswego. “At the time I didn’t have a lot of resources, as a single parent,” she explained. Thanks to Oswego’s affordable costs, her sons were able to complete their undergraduate years with no educational debt.

Her oldest son, Brian Holliday ’94, was interested in technology education, a very strong program at Oswego. The reputation of his Oswego degree enabled him to land an assistantship at Ball State University. He now teaches in the Rochester area.

Eric Holliday ’01 was one of the first graduates in Oswego’s humancomputer interaction major. He now works in the computer field for Humana Press in New Jersey.

She hopes someday her youngest son, Greg, will consider an Oswego education.

Oswego is a family tradition for Lanigan. Her uncle, James Lanigan, was on the College Council and was a strong supporter of the school.

Lanigan Hall, which houses the communication studies department and

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Jim Russell ’83

Alumna Gives to Share Opportunity

Frances Lanigan ’73

graphic design program, is named after him. In addition to her sons, Lanigan shares her Oswego alumni status with her siblings James Lanigan ’66, Mary Lanigan Sagneri ’66 and the late Joseph Lanigan ’63.

In Frances Lanigan’s work, she often sees how lack of an education limits the choices people have in their lives. “I believe that education is a valuable life asset. Without it your chances are limited, especially in this day and age,” she says. “I believe the education available at Oswego is excellent. I don’t think people need to go millions of miles away or go to an expensive or private school to get a quality education.”

Lanigan contributes to The Fund for Oswego because it supports education and matches her values. Although Lanigan makes her gift as an unrestricted donation, she says, “My hope is that it supports educating people about the value of Oswego State and what the college has to offer, and in some small way may contribute to a scholarship.”

Give the Gift of School Spirit n Sept. 30, SUNY Oswego launched Inspiring Horizons: The Campaign for Oswego with a spectacular celebration on campus.

More than 1,400 students, faculty and alumni spelled out OSWEGO under picture-perfect sunny skies by the lake, hosted by honorary campaign chair, Al Roker ’76, along with Chris Brandolino ’96 and Steve Levy ’87.

The Oswego Alumni Association, Inc. is pleased to offer commemorative reprints of this historic event– ideal for office, home or graduation gift. Posters are 16 X 20 inches and cost $20 each, plus $6 shipping.

Proceeds from the sale of the posters will benefit Inspiring Horizons: The Campaign for Oswego.

Be a part of history!

Order your posters online at www.oswego.edu/alumni/oswegofamilyportrait/ using our secure Web site, or print the form to mail or fax.

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State Employees Can Donate to SUNY Campuses More than 230,000 New York state employees, including those working at 64 State University of New York campuses, received a payroll stuffer with their Jan. 25 paycheck that encourages them to consider making a contribution to their favorite State University campus.

“All state employees can now donate to any of the 64 SUNY campuses through payroll deduction,” said Kevin Mahaney, vice president for development and alumni relations.

“This giving opportunity that we’re extending to New York State employees is important as we strive to build a three-way partnership — affordable tuition, reasonable tax support and dependable philanthropic support.”

Timothy Murphy ’74 played an important role in spearheading the effort to pass legislation, signed into law by Gov. George E. Pataki in 2002, for this initiative. “By making it easy for state employees to support the SUNY campus of their choice, New York State is communicating how important public higher education is to the advancement of our state and our communities,” added Mahaney.

Any state employee can participate by simply filling out the form that is part of the payroll stuffer and returning it to the payroll office. Employees who already give can continue to make regular donations through their campus employee appeal. Regardless of the way employees choose to give, their gift ends up on the campus of their choice.

OSWEGO PARENTS Published each semester by the SUNY Oswego Office of Alumni and Parent Relations Michele Reed, Editor Jim Russell ’83, Photographer Nicola Kountoupes, Chuck Wainwright, Contributing Photographers Emily Seymour ’06, Justine Vehrs ’07, Contributing Writers Midstate Litho, Production and Printing Office of Alumni and Parent Relations King Alumni Hall SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY 13126 Betsy Oberst, Executive Director Phone: 315-312-2258 FAX: 315-312-5570 E-mail: alumni@oswego.edu www.oswego.edu/alumni/

SPRING 2006

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A Brush with Media Greatness

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Jim Russell ’83

Chuck Wainwright

en Bradlee is a living legend. He is confident, witty, and gracious. At 84 years old, he is one of the most renowned journalists of modern times.

I spent the day with him.

I really don’t know how it happened. I checked my e-mail early one evening to find “Can you escort Ben Bradlee?” as one e-mail’s subject from Linda Loomis ’90, M ’97, my journalism adviser. My heart leaped. Can I? Shouldn’t the question be, “Is there any way we could stop you?”

In the span of three hours, I went from being told I could not attend SUNY Oswego’s Louis A. Borrelli Jr. ’77 Media Summit because I did, in fact, need a ticket, to being told I was to be Ben Justine Vehrs ‘07 met Ben Bradlee when the newspaper legend Bradlee’s hostess for the day. Somebody pinch me. visited campus Oct. 27 for the Louis A. Borrelli Jr. ‘77 Media Summit.

Bradlee was managing editor of the Washington Post from 1965 to 1968 and executive editor from 1968 to 1991. He was pivotal in the publishing of the Pentagon Papers, and is best known for over- luncheon with SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley, media seeing the publication of Bob Woodward’s and Carl Bernstein’s sto- summit panelists, and other select guests, he kidded and asked what they would do if he insisted I go with him. ries documenting the Watergate scandal that ultimately brought At one point during a VIP reception later in the day, which I was down President Richard Nixon. invited to attend, he and I were sitting together alone at a table. I I, on the other hand, am a 20-year-old journalism and adoleshave never felt more important than I did at that moment. cent English education double major at Oswego State. I often have The day was a glorious whirlwind. Seven hours never passed so quickly. trouble thinking of things to write in my journal.

Now, I sit hoping he got my e-mail thanking him for such a Considering how nervous I was about getting every detail of his memorable day and wondering how best to display my photo with, visit right — the Media Summit was Oct. 27 — the day flew by — Justine Vehrs ’07 and note from, Mr. Ben Bradlee. without a hitch. Bradlee, more than four times my age, was a wonderful guest. I rode alone in an elevator with him. We rode in an This article was originally published Nov. 1, 2005. The Herald Co., Syracuse. N.Y. © 2005 The Post-Standard. All Rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. electric car. He showed me the scar on his knee from a knee replacement surgery. He kissed me on the cheek, and, at my request for an “autograph” of some sort, wrote me a 17-word note I will always treasure.

To hear him speak about Watergate, JFK, and current issues was surreal. I asked about Janet Cooke, the Washington Post reporter who won the Pulitzer Prize for “Jimmy’s World,” a profile of an 8-year-old heroin addict.

As Bradlee tells it, “She made the whole damn thing up” and the newspaper gave back her Pulitzer Prize.

Heraldo Muñoz ’72 (center), Chilean ambassador to Steve Levy ’87 (second from left), ESPN anchor, and his “It was a big stink,” he said. the United Nations, met with Alan Hershkowitz ’06, college roommate Todd Sloth ’87 talk with Rebecca When Bradlee heard I was not one of Rob Pekarek ’08 and Brittany Sepp ’06. Muñoz Donovan ’06, Ernie Layug '05 and Emil Calcano ’06, of his visit to campus this fall. spoke to classes as part WNYO sports director. Levy spoke in classes Sept. 30 as the VIPs who would be attending the part of the Alumni-in-Residence program.

Learning Communities Piloted

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UNY Oswego offered a new opportunity to first-year students this year to better connect with peers, professors and lessons through the college’s new living and learning communities.

“We’re very pleased with the pilot,” said Michelle Massaro Bandla ’93, SUNY Oswego’s coordinator of first-year programs. “A lot of students showed interest and faculty seemed to enjoy it.”

The initiative, Oswego Living and Learning Communities, featured five options to engage freshmen and faculty interaction inside and outside the classroom. Each program centers on students taking three courses together, living in the same residence hall and participating in out-of-class activities.

The five communities are: • Global Affairs, appealing to students interested in international perspectives; • Media and the World, for students in tune with media and popular culture studies; • Helping Your Community, attracting students who want to make a difference and participate in community service; • Women and the World, geared toward those interested in learning about women’s contributions to society; and • Exploring Your Future, allowing undecided majors to look into academic and career possibilities.

Also included in the First-Year Experience with Living and Learning Communities is the FirstChoice program. FirstChoice is a selection of courses designed specifically for first-year students. The classes have a capacity of no more than 19 students and focus on the transition to college, connecting to faculty and peers and getting to know the campus.

Since the pilot program was such a success, Bandla said recruitment for the next school year is in process.

“We’ve already had faculty, chairs and board members for different departments, such as fine arts, who have shown interest in getting involved for next year,” Bandla said. “We hope to keep the enthusiasm and interest for years to come.”

— Emily Seymour ’06

Fall semester's SUNY Oswego Miss-a-Meal program, a collaboration of the Student Association and Auxiliary Services, raised $5,480.73 for American Red Cross hurricane-relief activities. In all, 2,040 students signed up to skip a meal at a dining hall and have the money they would have spent support the fundraiser.

From left are Craig Traub and Sandy King ’89 of Auxiliary Services; Ian Farrell ’06, SA president; Pat Callahan ’07, SA director of student affairs; Matthew Wioncek ’06, SA Webmaster; and Tony Love ’07, a Cooper Dining Hall employee. The activity was part of more than $17,000 in hurricanerelief fundraising by many groups at SUNY Oswego.

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Campus Clips SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Now’s the time for students to apply for scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year. Over 125 are available through the Oswego College Foundation.

Copies of the Scholarship and Awards booklet can be found at academic departments on campus, at the Office of University Development and online at http://oswego.edu/giving/scholarships.

For more information, call 315-312-3003 or e-mail mmanwari@oswego.EDU

GET CONNECTED, STAY CONNECTED Visit the Oswego Alumni Association at its new Web site at www.oswego.edu/alumni. Also you can receive current information about SUNY Oswego by signing up for the news and events e-mail list at http://www.oswego. edu/news/mailinglists/subscribe.php.

YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE If your student is graduating in May or December, a 2006 Ontarian yearbook can capture the memories of their years at Oswego. There are still a limited number of yearbooks available at a cost of $45 each. What a great graduation gift! Go online to http://oswegoalumni. oswego.edu/ontarian/ or call 315-312-3630 to place your order now.

PLAN NOW FOR GRADUATION It’s not too early to make reservations if you are traveling to Oswego for Commencement May 20. Plan to attend the longest-standing tradition on campus at the annual Torchlight Ceremony May 19. The ceremony will allow the graduating class to come together one last time and be welcomed into the Oswego Alumni Association. The event includes a reception and dinner, along with passing on the light of knowledge to the new alumni. For more information or to make reservations call 315-312-2258 or e-mail seniors@oswego.edu.

FILE TO GRADUATE! The Registrar’s Graduation Office sends letters in the spring semester to all prospective graduates, (all students with junior or senior standing who have not yet filed to graduate) with instructions and information on how and when to file online for graduation. The deadline for filing for this year's May and August 2006 graduation class is Feb. 15. Students expecting to graduate in December 2006 may file online beginning April 1, 2006, until Sept. 30, 2006.

Students expecting to graduate in May or August 2007 will also be able to file online beginning April 1, 2006, through Feb. 15, 2007. Students are not automatically placed on a graduation list; it is the student’s responsibility to make sure he or she initially applies to graduate on-line by the appropriate deadline date listed above, or contacts the Registrar’s graduation area for help in doing so. The graduation application form is linked from the student's registration link. Students must file by the deadline dates listed above to ensure that their name will be printed in the commencement program.

Information regarding the graduation process and all deadlines are also available and linked from the Registrar’s Web site at http://www.oswego.edu/ Anyone with questions may contact the graduation area of the Registrar’s Office.

CAREER HELP? JUST A.S.K.!

If your student is looking for help in exploring a career, the Oswego Alumni Association has help.

Our A.S.K. –Alumni Sharing Knowledge– program links current students with alumni mentors who can answer questions about a career, offer a job-shadowing experience or help make connections.

Your student can be part of Oswego’s powerful alumni network! Call the Alumni Office at 315-312-2258.

Fresh Facts • Oswego had 7,564 applicants for the 2005 freshman class, and accepted 4,228.

• Sixty-six percent of freshman students received financial aid this year.

• Freshmen were awarded nearly $1 million in renewable Presidential and Merit scholarships for the 05 - 06 academic year. Over a four-year period these renewable scholarships are worth nearly $4 million, and included: • 173 Presidential Scholarships ($4,400 annually: $17,600 over four years) • 90 Deans’ Scholarships ($1,250 annually: $5,000 over four years) • 90 Merit Scholarships ($500 annually: $2,000 over four years) • Ninety-two percent of freshmen (1,236 first-year students) lived on campus for fall 2005.

Calendar Spring 2006 Jan. 26

Spring semester begins

Jan. 27

“Snowflake,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2-3

“Victoria,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3March 5

Art Department Faculty Exhibition and Japanese Paintings from the Henricksen Collection, Tyler Art Gallery

Feb. 15

Carter Pann: New Sounds, Sheldon Hall Ballroom, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23March 5

“The Real Inspector Hound,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 8 p.m./ 2 p.m.

March 7

“Cherish the Ladies,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 7:30 p.m.

March 13-17 Spring Recess March 22

“2 Foot Yard,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 7:30 p.m.

March 24April 19

43rd Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition and Master of Arts Thesis Exhibition, Tyler Art Gallery

March 31

“Collage,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 7:30 p.m.

April 10

College Admissions Open House

April 13-14

Good Friday and Spring Break Day

April 18

Oliver Sacks, Laker Hall, 8 p.m.

April 19

Quest ’06, no classes

April 20-30

“Little Shop of Horrors,” Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, 8 p.m.

April 26

Jacqueline Horner, Sheldon Hall Ballroom, 7:30 p.m.

April 28May 19

Spring Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, Tyler Art Gallery

May 12

Last day of classes

May 15-19

Final Exams

May 19

Torchlight ceremony and dinner

May 20

Commencement